Tube and bulb device



Aug. 9, 1932. R. P. MILBURN TUBE AND BULB DEVICE Filed Aug. 26. 1929 PucHARD P M\\ BURH INVENTOR W/ uu/ ATTORNEY 50 presses atented Aug. 9, 1932 I UNITED STATES RICHARD .P.

MILBURN, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T STANDARD OIL DE- VELOPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TUBE AND BULB DEVICE Application filed August 26,

This invention relates to improvements in tube and bulb devices, particularly for medicine droppers, nasal douches, sprayers or atomizers, and the like. A principal object of the invention is to provide means for positively retaining the bulb in contact with the tube when the device is used with liquids which tend to cause swelling of the bulb material.

Reference is to be made to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a preferred form of medicine dropper attached to a bottle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the retaining ring; and r Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dropper. In thedrawin ulb, preferably of rubbenhaving an annular flange 2. The bulb tapers at its base or lower end 3, in which there is a circular opening 4. This receives the end of a suction tube 5. The wall of opening 4 is recessed or threaded at 6 and the end of the tube 5 correspondingly formed with ridges .7 dfipted to be fitted snugly in the opening 4. The flange 2 seats against the rigid screw cap 8, on bottle 8a, or other closure with which'the bulb is to be used. The body of the bulb protrudes through an opening in frictionally whereby the bulb. and the suction tube are supported.

I have found that the swelling and resulting looseness of rubber suction bulbs used with-oily liquids may be avoided by placing a substantially non-resilient ring or band 9 inert to the liquid :0 the cap or closure an or dropper about the lower end of the bulb where it engages the tube. The strength and rigidity of the ring must be sufficient to withstand any expansion tortion of the bulb material.

The ring 9 has preferably an inside diameter a trifle less than the outside diameter of the lower end of the bulb. It is suflicient if the ring will keep its position by'frictional engagement with a new bulb. When placed as shown,

the bulb against the tube and any curing good contact dropper comprising I d engaging a portion of the tube, engages the walls of the opening force due to disthe ring binds or com- 1929. Serial no. 388,292.

swelling of the bulb material engagement tighter.

Celluloid, steel or the like are suitable materials for the ring. It is simpler and entirely satisfactory for mostpurposes to make the ring in onepiece. I may however use split rings or any equivalent device for sebetween the parts. It is understood, however, that I do not claim the use of a clamping ring for holding in place a rubber article not subject to distortion by the liquid with which it comes in contact. The present invention is based on the conception of providing a means for receiving the outward thrust. of swelling material and causing this normally destructive force to provide a satisfactory and lasting engagement between tube and bulb.

The foregoing description is illustrative only and various alternative arrangements and uses are included within the scope of the appended claims, in which it is my intention t9 claim all novelty inherent in the invention.

I claim 1. A combined bottle only makes the closure and liquid a cap having an opening and adapted to fit over and form a cover for the top of a bottle, and a liquid dropper including a tube, a bulb provided with a base a ring impressing a portion of the base against the tube, and a flange-projecting from the bulb radially beyond the ring in spaced relation to the base,

the dropper bulb extending through the open;

ing with the flange seating against the cap. I

2. A combined bottle closure and liquid dropper comprising a cap having an opening in it and adapted to fit for the top of a bottle, comprising a flanged elastic bulb having a dropper tube engaged in the bottom of the bulb, said bulb being extended upwardly through the opening in said cap with the dropper tube projecting therebel'ow and the flange over the greater part of its area seated against the under side of the cap. 3. A combined bottle closure, and liquid dropper comprising a rigid cap having a central opening in it and adapted to fit over and form a cover for the top of a bottle and a over and form a cover and a liquid dropper liquid dropper consisting of an elastic bulb having a dropper tube engag neck forming the bottom of opening in said cap with the projecting therebelow and the body of the bulb frictionally engaging the cap whereby the bulb and dropper tube are solely supported when the cap and bulb are removed from the-bottle.

4:. A combined liquid dropper and closure for the neck of abottle, eomprising a cap having a top W1th an opening in 1t, said top dropper tube bulb having a single top-engaging aged in the bottom flange, a dropper tube en of the bulb, said bulb e1ng extended upwardly through the opening in the top of rojecting therebelow, and the flange over t e greater part of its area seated against the under side of the top of the cap.

"RICHARD P. MlLBURN. 

